Day 217 & 218—We are in the eighth month of Bible reading, with more of Israel’s history and prophecy. NOTE: Sundays and Mondays are posted together.

    Day 217 – 2 Kings 22 – 23, 2 Chronicles 34 – 35 (King Josiah’s reign, reforms, and death. Pharoah Neco)

2 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 34. After the disastrous reigns of Manasseh and Amon, the 8-year-old Josiah becomes king and reigns for 31 years.  He does what was right in God’s sight. (This reminds me of King Joash who began at 7 and was a good king, until the end. 2 Kings 11)

Josiah orders the clean up and repair of the Temple (the previous kings had put in all kinds of idols and paraphernalia). During the cleanup, the Book of the Law is discovered, and when read to Josiah, he tore his clothes and repented.  “Great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

The prophetess Huldah tells him that, indeed, all the terrible judgments of God WILL come upon Judah and Jerusalem, but because of Josiah’s heart for good, they will not happen until after his death.

2 Kings 23 and 2 Chronicles 35. So Josiah turns Jerusalem and Judah upside down, instructing all the people to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments with all their heart and soul, and to obey all the words written in the book. And he destroys, grinds to dust, burns, and kills all who were involved in pagan idol worship. He also puts away any medium or necromancer and other abominations. (A thorough housecleaning.)

And he restored the ceremony of Passover and Unleavened Bread according to all he read.

Unfortunately, at the end of the 31 years, Josiah sees Egypt’s Pharoah Neco going to attack and fight with the Assyrians and thinks to join the fray.  Neco tries to persuade him to go back, but Josiah refuses, and he is shot. He dies in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 35:22) says the message from Neco was from the LORD.  “nevertheless Josiah did not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo.  And the archers shot King Josiah.”

All Jerusalem lamented him. Even the prophet Jeremiah wrote a lament about him.

2 Kings 23:31-37. Josiah’s evil son, Jehoahaz, reigned in his place for 3 months. Neco carried him off to Egypt till he died. Then the Pharaoh made Eliakim, another of Josiah’s sons, king in his place and re-named him Jehoiakim. This king paid silver and gold tribute to Neco.

Jehoiakim reigned 11 years and did what was evil in the LORD’s sight.

(The end of Judah and Jerusalem is near.)

   

   Day 218 – Zephaniah 1 – 3 (Prophecy in King Josiah’s time, but before all his reforms, lingering wickedness from Manasseh and Amon triggering the severe judgment prophesied, the Day of the Lord warning “is near”)

Zephaniah 1.  Zephaniah is a prophet of royal blood, the great-great grandson of Hezekiah.  He begins with the coming judgment on the remaining Southern Kingdom of Judah.  Although reform comes during King Josiah’s lifetime, it is too little, too late, and doesn’t outlast him.

The first verses are sweeping, including all the earth, then narrow to Judah, beginning with the wicked sons of the king.  The last verses seem to speak of the quickly coming invasion by Babylon, as well as echoing that great still future Day of judgment.

Zephaniah 2.  In the first verses of this chapter, God mercifully invites His people to repent, to entreat the favor of the LORD.  Then, although God uses the neighboring peoples to punish His people, they do not go unjudged – Philistia, Moab, Cush, and Nineveh.

Zephaniah 3.  Then, the prophet returns to Jerusalem, the city of their God, who has no excuses for their wickedness. “She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction; she does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God.  Her officials are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves. Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy.  The LORD within her is righteous, He does no injustice….. but the unjust knows no shame.”

Then follows the destruction of the city and land, the nations of the world, reminding me of Daniel’s prophecies.

In verses 9-20, the prophecy changes to blessing and restoration of God’s people and the nations.  God will gather a people of one pure language to call on His name.  It will be a humble and lowly people who see refuge in the name of the LORD.  They will do no injustice and speak no lies.

“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.”

“The LORD your God is in your midst,

a might one who will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness;

He will quiet you by His love;

He will exult over you with loud singing.”

“At that time, I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.”